The Malaysian drug trafficker Datchinamurthy Kataiah, was set to be hanged today at dawn (29 April) was granted a last-minute stay of execution following a High Court ruling on 28 April.
He had represented himself at the High Court, as well as another hearing at the Court of Appeal.
Kokila Annamalai, a local activist, shared news of Datchinamurthy’s stay of execution onto her Facebook page
Here is what she said
“Stay of execution granted for Datchinamurthy Kataiah!
Datch just told his sister over a televisit after the hearing that he won – he was granted a stay of execution, on the grounds that he has a civil case pending before the court. The judge asked the prosecution if they intend to appeal, and the prosecution said they hadn’t decided.
Datch argued this case on his own. He had no lawyer, no family or well-wishers present for moral support. He was in prison, by himself, facing off against public prosecutors. He spoke up to the judge, made his case, and persuaded the judge to grant him a stay of execution.
This is what it looks like when we rise up. It is Datch’s courage, and his family’s unflinching perseverance, that made this happen. Today Datch achieved what no Singapore lawyer dared to try. The fight is far from over. Datch’s life is only safe until his civil case is over.”
She later shared an update on the case, with an appeal by the prosecution against his stay of execution, saying
Here is what she said
“UPDATE: The prosecution’s appeal was heard by a three-judge bench at the Supreme Court and dismissed!! Take that, AG!
Alarming update on Datch’s case:
Mere minutes after we received the incredibly relieving news that Datch won himself a stay of execution, the AGC filed an appeal, and the hearing was set immediately, for 2.30pm today. If the AGC wins this appeal, Datch can still be executed at dawn tomorrow.
Datch was not given a chance to secure a lawyer for this appeal. He won, and was almost immediately brought back via teleconference for the 2.30pm hearing at the Supreme Court, via teleconference. The hearing is ongoing as I write this.”